Novak Djokovic blasts ‘awful performance’ in shock defeat to Dan Evans at Monte-Carlo Masters

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Djokovic, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, admitted there were no positives to take. ‘To be honest, I mean, this has been probably one of the worst matches and performances from my side I can recall in the last years,’ said Djokovic in his post-match press conference.

‘I don’t want to take anything away from his win, but from my side, I just felt awful on the court overall. Just nothing worked. It’s one of those days. ‘I mean, yesterday [beating Jannik Sinner in straight sets] I played pretty good match I thought. Today was completely the opposite of what I felt yesterday. ‘Just was obviously very, very windy, tough to play in these kind of conditions against a guy like Evans who makes you move. He’s very unpredictable with his shots. He dismantled my game.

‘I mean, I was just not feeling it, and playing pretty bad. Obviously right now, as I walk off the court, I’m disappointed with the way I played, the way I felt on the court. But it’s a long clay season. Still plenty of tournaments, plenty of room to improve.’ While Djokovic was disappointed by his own performance, he was impressed by Evans’s game. ‘He has a lot of variety in his game,’ added Djokovic. ‘He uses slice so efficiently. He’s quick around the court. He serves and volleys. He’s got a really all-around game.

‘It’s really a nice player to watch, not a great player to play against. Lots of talent. ‘He’s definitely got the game. I mean, at the slams obviously best-of-five, it’s different. Depends on which surface. He would probably agree maybe clay wasn’t his surface growing up, most preferred one. ‘But the way he plays on clay, I think he plays on a similar quality level that he plays probably on his best surfaces like faster hard court or maybe grass. ‘Congratulations to him. I mean, he deserved to win. He was a better player. Just more focused I guess and played with a better quality in the decisive moments.’


Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2021/04/15/nova...ci=129384&si=22969801&ai=14416082?ito=cbshare

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clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Unlike Sinner and the NextGenners (according to Sinner) Dan went into the match thinking he COULD BEAT Djokovic however unlikely the odds. If only Sinner and his peers shad the same guts and confidence.

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
I think Dan has enough game to beat Djokovic but didn't believe it would actually happen.
 
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weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
At this point there are at least a couple of dozen players capable of beating Djokovic on clay on any given day.
 

BeatlesFan

Bionic Poster
I don't think he will make SF this year in RG
You can't judge Djokovic's entire clay season based on this one loss. Djokovic was clearly out of sorts today and not 100% engaged in this match. It's a trivial loss which has no bearing on how he'll do at RG. Essential components of his game were intact: he served pretty well and his drop shot was also working. He'll probably make the French Open final again and have his ass handed to him by Rafa.
 

Feather

Legend
You can't judge Djokovic's entire clay season based on this one loss. Djokovic was clearly out of sorts today and not 100% engaged in this match. It's a trivial loss which has no bearing on how he'll do at RG. Essential components of his game were intact: he served pretty well and his drop shot was also working. He'll probably make the French Open final again and have his ass handed to him by Rafa.

No, not based on this match.. I feel so
 
You can't judge Djokovic's entire clay season based on this one loss. Djokovic was clearly out of sorts today and not 100% engaged in this match. It's a trivial loss which has no bearing on how he'll do at RG. Essential components of his game were intact: he served pretty well and his drop shot was also working. He'll probably make the French Open final again and have his ass handed to him by Rafa.
I’d rather he didn’t bother with a long slog to RG final just to get thumped off Rafa again. It’s wasted energy.

Im not bothered about Novak’s clay season. It’s best he saves his best for Wimbledon where he has his best chance to get no 19.
 

InvisibleSoul

Hall of Fame
Unlike Sinner and the NextGenners (according to Sinner) Dan went into the match thinking he COULD BEAT Djokovic however unlikely the odds. If only Sinner and his peers shad the same guts and confidence.

“Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
Is this actual fact or complete conjecture?
 

bjsnider

Hall of Fame
Djokovic isn't going to clip Nadal's best game at RG by hitting those straight, flat shots. Penetrating the court doesn't win the day on clay. He's got to change his game, hit topspin, and go for sharper angles, and I didn't see any of that today. I assume he wants to turf these smaller tournaments from now on, and that's a good strategy, but on clay he's got to play different regardless, which is something he doesn't seem to accept right now.
 

GhostOfNKDM

Hall of Fame
Is this actual fact or complete conjecture?

Brexit fact.

The reality is probably more boring (Dan did well to capitalize on a less than stellar Novak), and gloomy (this result is not going to change the dynamic, least of all at a slam), but don’t tell that to the Brits.

They seem to like their feel-good stories dressed up in generous helpings of patriotic nostalgia. :p

(sorry Mainad)
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
I’d rather he didn’t bother with a long slog to RG final just to get thumped off Rafa again. It’s wasted energy.

Im not bothered about Novak’s clay season. It’s best he saves his best for Wimbledon where he has his best chance to get no 19.
If he gets a good draw and they close the roof.
 

GhostOfNKDM

Hall of Fame
I’d rather he didn’t bother with a long slog to RG final just to get thumped off Rafa again. It’s wasted energy.

Im not bothered about Novak’s clay season. It’s best he saves his best for Wimbledon where he has his best chance to get no 19.

So little faith...tsk tsk.

Seems like last year’s bagel is still causing stomach discomfort.
 

clayqueen

Talk Tennis Guru
Sinner could have done it but he donated far too many UEs on big points and Djokovic got lucky. I thought the same might happen to Dan today. Evans is a competent player not to be taken lightly.
 
Yup. The next 7 points after 40-15 and some grass chewing to top it off.
Keep crying for Federer's 20. It is obvious to anyone with eyes that faker is in a terminal decline, if not for incessant chokers he wouldn't even have that AO title. Zverev handed him the title.
 

Harry_Wild

G.O.A.T.
Just another proof that is why they call tennis a sport! Just as in life, you cannot not win all the time even if people think you are #1 in the world.
 

Red Rick

Bionic Poster
No excuses, complements opponent. Sounds about right.

I didn't expect Djokovic to win RG, and shockingly that hasn't changed.
 

Legend of Borg

G.O.A.T.
Not exactly the biggest upset in the world, Djoker's clay level nowadays is a pale comparison to what he used to be.

He's most vulnerable to upsets on this surface compared to grass/hardcourts.

If he reaches the RG finals again I will be impressed.
 

prairiegirl

Hall of Fame
I wish for once, he could be a gentleman and be honest. He should have said he was outplayed. That is the truth. Evans outplayed him. There's no tank here, and all that b.s. about saving himself for other tournaments is utter nonsense.
 

yokied

Hall of Fame
Dan and Fed definitely raising a glass over FaceTime after that one.

Credit to Novak for admitting he got dismantled. Note to Sinner hypers: you ain’t gonna dismantle Nole by trying to demolish him with power from the back of the court.
 
Are the 2020 RG points going to remain? I'm not sure. If Novak loses first round, does he still get to keep the 1200 points he earned as a finalist last year?
I’m not sure about that. I know it’s important to still collect points and maintain good ranking but Novak’s main priorities have to be Wimbledon, olympics and us open.
 
Dan and Fed definitely raising a glass over FaceTime after that one.

Credit to Novak for admitting he got dismantled. Note to Sinner hypers: you ain’t gonna dismantle Nole by trying to demolish him with power from the back of the court.
unless the GOAT stanimal god I miss him
 
D

Deleted member 771911

Guest
This may hint at the true state of the men's game. Djokovic is able to prepare and get up for the AO because it is historic. But outside of that, he is having issues and Evans beating him is not such an upset. Djokovic is what, 33?, and Evans is having a great twilight period. What we have is these legends pumped on the GOAT mania, some terrified next genners and then the likes of Evans with potential having a last throw of the dice. Then, we have Nadal who looks like he might take advantage of that by being very motivated.
 

Arak

Legend
I thought Djokovic approached this match like a training session. He wasn’t even angry when he was losing. I know when he’s serious he starts insulting the umpire and abusing the ball kids. None of that happened so he didn’t really care.
 

Red Rick

Bionic Poster
Huh why do the Wimbledon points last 3 years? What’s that about?
******** rankings.

They decided that until somewhere in August, all tournaments not held in 2020 will only drop for 50%. Meanwhile Rome and RG will drop of after 8 months, instead of lasting 3 full years.
 

weakera

Talk Tennis Guru
Djokovic on clay since his 2016 RG win,

Monte Carlo QF Loss - Goffin
Madrid SF Loss - Nadal
Rome F Loss - Zverev
FO QF Loss - Thiem

Monte Carlo 3R Loss - Thiem
Barcelona 2R Loss - Klizan
Madrid 2R Loss - Edmund
Rome SF Loss - Nadal
FO QF Loss - Cecchinato

Monte Carlo QF Loss - Medvedev
Madrid Win - Tsitsipas
Rome F Loss - Nadal
FO SF Loss - Thiem

Rome Win - Schwartzman
FO F Loss - Nadal

Monte Carlo 3R Loss - Evans


RECORD vs. TOP-10: 6-7
 
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